ADC: Dumebi Kachikwu not our member — party leadership none of his business

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, lacks a say in the party’s leadership composition.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC interim publicity secretary, said Kachikwu is no longer a member of the party.

On Thursday, Kachikwu faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise David Mark as ADC national chairman.

He described INEC’s decision as irresponsible, adding that he never had faith in the current leadership of the electoral body.

During the interactive session, Abdullahi was asked to react to Kachikwu’s comment about the ADC leadership.

The interim spokesperson said being a one-time presidential candidate of the party does not make Kachikwu the owner of the party.

“He (Kachikwu) had no business in this conversation. He is not even a member of the ADC,” he said.

“That is very clear. A one-time presidential candidate of any party does not own the party. He does not have a say in the direction of the party.

“You were given the ticket of the party to run a particular election. That does not make you a permanent candidate of the party.”

Abdullahi criticised Kachikwu for making “divisive rhetoric” and describing the leadership of the party as “old people”.

The interim spokesperson said the party understands that the forces destabilising opposition parties will fight the ADC coalition.